Readers of Machiavelli's work have found that unlike other writers of republican concepts, he is very careful to only mention justice in a sparingly manner. ... When thoughts of "justice" were pondered in Ancient Greece, early students of Socrates accepted actions that were to the benefit of friends and detriment of enemies as the standard definition of justice (Plato I.332b). ...

• Word Count: 2733
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Athens and late Republican Augustan Rome. ... It was in the works of the humanist antiquarian Leonardo Bruni (c. 1370 "1444) that formality established the framework for a republican belief system. ... The works of Plato were particularly compelling, and a ring of Neoplatonic researchers headed by Marsilio Ficino (1433 "1499) looked to circuit Christian thought with Platonic philosophy. ...

• Word Count: 2501
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate